Kim Basinger is refreshing in that she has made her mark as more than just another Hollywood actress. Her personal power is maintained in the strength of her own character and timeless commitment to causes that make a difference in our world. Basinger was born on December 8, 1953 and raised in Athens, Georgia, the 3rd of 5 children. Both of her parents came from entertainment backgrounds. Her father studied at Chicago's American Conservatory of Music and spent a few years playing big-band jazz before marrying Basinger's mother, a champion swimmer and model who performed water ballet in several Esther Williams movies. Kim, who studied dancing and singing from childhood, was just sixteen when she entered the Athens Junior Miss contest. She went on to win the Junior Miss Georgia title, and traveled to New York to compete in the national Junior Miss pageant. While there, she met fashion modeling magnate Eileen Ford, who on the spot offered the Georgia peach a contract with her renowned Ford Modeling Agency. Though she initially declined Ford's offer, hoping to pursue a career either in singing or acting, the young beauty queen eventually had a change of heart and moved to New York. After being highlighted in campaigns for such major cosmetic lines as Breck, Revlon, Clairol and Maybelline, Basinger decided to forego modeling for an acting career and after living in New York for five years, she moved to the West Coast in 1976. Basinger made her film debut in the movie Hard Country in 1981.
Over the next several years she won roles that displayed an extraordinary range. In Blind Date, she proved herself a consummate comedian. In The Natural, she smoldered as a femme fatale and subsequently became best-known for her work in such films as the Bond flick Never Say Never Again (1983), Batman (1989), and, perhaps most infamously, in Adrian Lyne's 9 1/2 Weeks (1986). Successfully dissipating the standard "dumb blonde" stereotype often attached to models-turned-actress, Basinger was an active environmentalist off-screen, and in 1989 she endeared herself to the Georgia chamber of commerce by purchasing a small settlement not far from her home town of Athens in an attempt to pump up the local economy.
In 1997 Kim landed a supporting role in the movie L.A. Confidential in which she was awarded with a Golden Globe and Oscar for her performance. Two years later, she combined her on-screen career with her off-screen commitment to environmental causes with her portrayal of real-life wildlife preservationist Kuki Gallmann in Hugh Hudson's I Dreamed of Africa. Last year Basinger costarred with rapper, Eminem in the movie 8 Mile and Miramar’s film People I Know with Al Pacino and Tea Leoni. Basinger has always devoted herself to animals and has been an vigorous animal rights activist and supporter since she was very young. She has dedicated energy to animal rights issues, and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. Most recently, she took on the role of spokesperson for the animal rescue organization New Leash On Life. Basinger will once again host the organizations third annual “Nuts for Mutts” Dog Show and exposition, March 14, 2004 at the campus of Pierce College in Woodland Hills, California, not too far from where Basinger and her seven dogs reside. “I think parents have a huge responsibility to teach children about animals. If I have to give anybody credit it would have to be my Mom. We loved anything that came into our yard. We would feed anything. We took care of anything…baby birds that fell out of trees; kittens…so I have to say she was a huge influence in helping us understand that things have to be treated with respect. It is such an important lesson to teach children” states Basinger.
She became involved with the organization, New Leash On Life, when seeking the help of a professional trainer to help her with her chocolate lab “Big Blue”. Her veterinarian suggested she contact Bobby and Kelly Dorafshar, who not only run the organization but also maintain Advanced K9 Training in Woodland Hills and currently own and operate a 13 acre animal rescue ranch located in Newhall, California. The ranch, still in development, is an Education, Rehabilitation and Adoption Center (E.R.A.). Upon completion, the E.R.A. Center will be a key community resource in promoting and securing the welfare of animals, assisting at-risk youth, and educating the public on animal awareness. Basinger hopes that by contributing her time and efforts she will help to raise public awareness about the problems that exist with homeless, abused and abandoned animals.
Regarding Basinger’s forthcoming film projects, Elvis Has Left the Building, an upcoming movie starring Basinger and directed by Joel Zwick, was filmed in New Mexico. Basinger stars as a cosmetic saleswoman who ends up on the run from the FBI after she leaves a train of dead Elvis impersonators.
In addition, look for Basinger in the upcoming film Door In The Floor also starring Jeff Bridges. The film is about the relationship between a celebrated children's book writer and his wife during one pivotal summer in an exclusive East Hampton beach community. The husband and wife lose their two sons in a car accident, and a young man comes for a summer internship with the author and begins an affair with the writer's wife. If these two film projects weren’t enough to keep her busy, the actress also played the lead role in another upcoming feature film, Cellular, a thriller in which she played a kidnapped woman who places a random call, reaching a young man whom she must persuade to help her. Taking into consideration her overall appeal…it shouldn’t take too much persuasion on her part.
Living her life with passion and purpose, it appears as though Basinger has always stayed true to herself and followed her heart. No doubt there are still many magnificent things ahead, in the individual life and career of the philanthropist and cover girl turned Oscar-winning actress Kim Basinger.
For more information on the organization New Leash On Life or the upcoming Nuts For Mutts Show at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, which will be hosted by Kim Basinger and feature a panel of celebrity judges on March 14, 2004, go to: www.newleash.org or call 818-710 9898.